Wenatchee wins on opening day! The 'Sox take down Edmonton 6-2 in the first game of the season

On opening day of the West Coast League 2026 season, the Wenatchee AppleSox pulled into Remax Field in Edmonton, Alberta, and took home a 6-2 win over the Riverhawks. After an hour-long rain delay, Wenatchee went on to tally nine hits, six RBIs, one home run, and two pitching performances to lock down the mound. 

Right-handed pitcher Luke Sterkel got the opening-day start for the ‘Sox, and he did not disappoint. The returning AppleSox spun five innings of one-run baseball, giving up just three hits in the process. 

After Sterkel, it was lefty Joe Thornton coming out of the pen to carry the team over the finish line. Thornton kicked off his third season in a ‘Sox jersey with four innings and only one run coughed up. 

At the plate, Wenatchee supplied plenty of run support. After going down 1-0 early in the game, designated hitter Nikko Paoletto smacked a double up the middle to clean the table and take a 2-1 lead in the fifth. 

Flash forward an inning, and starting catcher Joseph Coupland tagged a solo homer deep to left field to extend the lead to 3-1. A short while later, right-fielder Terrell Scott-Romain beat out a double play to drive in a run via the fielder’s choice. 

Finally, it was Coupland striking again in the ninth with a line drive to left center field to tally two and give Wenatchee some insurance. With a 6-2 lead heading into the final frame, Thornton was able to shut down the Riverhawks in the ninth and put Wenatchee in the win column for the first time in 2026. 

A loud day at the plate and two pitchers combining for a near-flawless outing on the mound. That sums up this Wenatchee team heading into the season and may just be a taste of what’s to come on the horizon. 

The Sox continue the series today against the Riverhawks at 6:05 p.m PST, and conclude the series at 12:05 p.m PST on Sunday, May 31.